- After more than 30 years lapsed since first starting doctoral studies, he earned his doctorate from Imperial College London in astrophysics after a successful thesis defense on August 23, 2007. The thesis is entitled, "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud".
- After much experimentation, he found the best guitar sound came from using an old English sixpence coin as a pick. These coins went out of circulation in the early 70s, and in 1992 he had the Royal Mint make up some more with his likeness on them.
- Apart from writing the classic Queen songs We Will Rock You, Flash, Hammer To Fall and The Show Must Go On, Brian also has a PhD in astrophysics and even has an asteroid named after him. He campaigns as an activist for animal protection. Furthermore, he recently did a five-year stint as the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
- His trademark Red Special guitar was constructed essentially from old junk. Among the components that make up the guitar are motorcycle valve springs, a knitting needle, mother-of-pearl buttons, and a discarded fireplace mantle. In 2018 a book dedicated to the development of this custom guitar - "Brian May's Red Special: The Story of the Home-Made Guitar that Rocked Queen and the World" - was published.
- He was awarded the C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to music.
- He has an Erdös-Bacon-Sabbath number of 9, which ties him with Carl Sagan and is among the lowest on the planet.
- Resumed pursuit of PhD in Astronomy, updating research and data re: presentation of dissertation on motion of interstellar dust.
- He used to teach Mathematics at Stockwell Park Secondary School, in Stockwell, South West London.
- Penned the hits Keep Yourself Alive, Thirty-Nine, Tie Your Mother Down, and Fat Bottomed Girls.
- Opened the Queen's Jubilee concert by playing "God Save The Queen" from the top of Buckingham Palace (2002).
- Holds a PhD in Astrophysics from Imperial College, London.
- Attended Imperial College, London University where he completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics and mathematics. Commenced a Doctorate in astronomy, but dropped out to join Queen.
- Has a guitar solo in the song "Bad For Good" on the Meat Loaf album "Bat out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose".
- Queen was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6356 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a member of Queen).
- Two of his riffs were voted into the Total Guitar Magazine poll of the 100 greatest riffs; "Tie Your Mother Down" was 84 and "One Vision" was 60 on the list. (June 2004)
- Submitted Astronomy Ph.D. dissertation for review and approval mid-2007. Upon approval, Ph.D. will be given May 2008.
- Installed as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, replacing Cherie Blair, QC (wife of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair). (April 2008)
- Queen won the 2005 Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.
- Very close friends with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.
- Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
- Met his second wife at a preview screening of Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986).
- Guitarist with the rock group Queen.
- Queen were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. (November 11, 2004)
- Brian May and his ex-wife Chrissie May have 3 children: Jimmy May, born in 1978, Louisa May, born in 1981, and Emily Ruth, born in 1987.
- Embarked on a world tour with Roger Taylor and 'Paul Rodgers (IV)' (as Queen + Paul Rodgers), including stops at the Meadowlands Arena and the Hollywood Bowl (marking the first time Queen has played in the U.S. since 1982). (March 2005)
- Counts Irish rock guitarist Rory Gallagher as a major influence on much of his own personal guitar sound.
- Was very supportive of actor Gwilym Lee, who played May's younger self, during filming of the film Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). The two worked together on May's guitar work. When May first saw Lee in his full costume, complete with a wig of long curly-brown hair, May was completely transfixed for a few moments, then he made started making some adjustments to Lee's wig, and the two took some photos together.
- Brian made a guest appearance playing with rock band Marillion at the Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, West Germany. (July 19, 1986)
- Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux and Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon.
- Is the only person to guest feature on a Black Sabbath song, "When Death Calls", on The 1987 Album "Headless Cross".
- Queen + 'Paul Rodgers (IV)' led a surprise North American tour, starting on 3 March in Miami, FL, and ending 13 April in Vancouver, BC. This was the first tour Queen had taken in North America since the death of Freddie Mercury. (March 2006)
- He has performed with the SAS (Spike Edney's All Stars) Band.
- As a member of Rock Against Repatriation, Brian collaborated with fellow star guitarists Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis), Mike Rutherford (also of Genesis), Phil Manzanera (of Roxy Music), Steve Rothery (of Marillion) and many other rock stars for the charity single "Sailing". (1990)
- Attended the Genesis concert at Twickenham Stadium on 8th July 2007.
- Not the same Brian May as the composer for many films.
- He was awarded the Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 King's New Years Honours List for his services to music and charity in Windlesham, Surrey, England. He is Musician, Astrophysicist and Animal Welfare Advocate.
- Among his guitar equipment is an amplifier that Queen bassist John Deacon assembled out of an old speaker box and electronic junk. It was initially used by Deacon for his own guitar, until it got the attention of May, who started using his custom Red Special guitar with it. He adopted it, and the sound the guitar made with that amplifier became an integral part of the band.
- Left his wife Chrissie May for British soap-actress star Anita Dobson.
- Shouldn't be confused with Australian composer Brian May.
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